Republican rebukes FCC chair’s threats to revoke broadcast licenses over Iran war | Trump administration
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is facing pushback from a Republican lawmaker after warning Saturday that broadcasters could lose their licenses if they broadcast what the federal agency considers “fake news” about the Iran conflict.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said in an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Briefing that he does not support government control of private businesses or efforts to interfere with constitutionally protected free speech.
“I strongly support the First Amendment,” Johnson said. “I don’t like the heavy hand of government, no matter who holds it. So no, I would prefer the federal government to stay out of the private sector as much as possible.”
“The role of the federal government is to protect our freedoms, to protect our constitutional rights,” he added.
Carr, a Trump appointee to the FCC, is facing criticism over comments made Saturday in which he said licenses held by broadcasters could be revoked.
“Broadcasters who spread hoaxes and distortions of information – also known as fake news – now have the opportunity to correct their course before their licenses are renewed,” Carr wrote on X. “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and if they do not, they will lose their license.”
Democrats criticized Carr’s warning shot. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said, “It’s illegal for the government to censor free speech that it simply doesn’t like about Trump’s war in Iran. This threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.”
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut agreed. “A truly extraordinary moment,” he wrote on social media. “We are not on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE. Act like it.” California Governor Gavin Newsom said the measure was “patently unconstitutional.”
Carr later doubled down on that threat in an interview with CBS News.
“People have gotten used to the idea that, you know, licenses are some kind of property right and you can’t do anything that will cause them to lose their license,” Carr said. “I’m kind of trying to help reorient people by telling them that no, there’s a public interest and the broadcast is different.
“All broadcasters should, you know, feel completely free to do all their reporting,” Carr added, as long as they don’t engage in “distortion of information.”
The FCC has lost power in recent years as “live” broadcasting by local national television has lost ground to cable, satellite and online distribution systems over which it has little or no influence. But it holds the power to regulate media acquisitions and mergers, including the recent deal between CBS News owner Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, owner of CNN.
Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic committee member, said the FCC “can make threats all day long, but it is powerless to carry them out.” Gomez warned in a post that “such threats violate the First Amendment and will lead nowhere.”
“Broadcasters should continue to cover the news fiercely and independently, without fear of government pressure,” she added.
